After decades, Dr Brian Sengstock believes researchers are “one step closer to a potential HIV vaccine” as early-stage clinical trials show promise. Photo: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Scientists have used mRNA technology to engineer new vaccines for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with positive results in early-stage clinical trials.
The new vaccine by researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre builds upon mRNA technology, which is behind many of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Currently, there is no FDA-approved vaccine to prevent HIV, but a Charles Sturt University expert thinks “we are one step closer to a potential HIV vaccine”.
Associate head of the CSU’s School of Healthcare Sciences Dr Brian Sengstock, who leads the $1.5 million research in improving access to HIV preventive care, said the biggest hurdle lay in the virus’s ability to “hide” itself.
“It’s always had that ability to hide in the cell, unlike other viruses, which attach to the exterior of the cell,” Dr Sengstock said.
“HIV actually goes into the inside elements of the cell.
“We have effective antiretroviral therapies, but if the person was to stop taking those medications, the virus can re-emerge.”
Antiretroviral therapies (ART) are a combination of HIV medications that are taken regularly to stop the virus from reproducing and progressing to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
It isn’t a cure, but lets people with HIV continue living long, healthy lives while preventing the virus from spreading to others.
“The vaccine being developed at the moment works on actually going into the cell and finding the HIV virus,” Dr Sengstock said.
“This allows it to identify and work against the virus inside the cell.”
Based on his work and what he’s seen in the HIV research space, Dr Sengstock is “reasonably confident” that a fully functional and affordable HIV vaccine will be developed in the future.
“Probably not within the next two or three years, I think it will be much longer than that,” he said.
“But I’m certainly increasingly confident we will see a vaccine for the actual treatment of HIV.”
While there is stigma around HIV, research in Australia is well supported.
In July, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood eased its long-standing rules banning men and transgender women from donating blood or plasma after having sex with other men, including those taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Australia has committed to the virtual elimination of HIV transmission by 2030, and Dr Sengstock believes Australia will be “close to succeeding”.
“When you look at other developed countries, Australia is very much at the forefront of HIV research,” he said.
“The World Health Organization has set a goal globally for virtual elimination of HIV transmission, which we have achieved in some parts of Australia.
“For example, in the inner-Sydney area, where there’s a large gay population, we have achieved virtual elimination of HIV in August 2023, but that’s limited to small pockets.”
Dr Sengstock advised men or transgender women who engage in sexual activity with other men to get tested for HIV/AIDs every three months based on clinical guidelines, or at least annually.
“It gives you and your sexual partners peace of mind,” he said.
“We have the Commonwealth now supporting free HIV testing kits. You can get the test sent to you, or you can access the test through vending machines.
“It’s just like a COVID test. It’s a finger prick, dry-blood test and 20 minutes later, it will tell you yes or no.
“For those who test positive, it’s very important they get in touch with a doctor.”
